As the holidays approach, area families and children often need help just to make ends meet and make the holidays brighter. Organizations accept holiday gift donations for the families that need it, but finding the right fit for your family from the myriad options can be a challenge. These, the best organizations to donate to this holiday season, are asking for basic gifts of clothing, food and household items, others ask for gift cards, toys and games, and just straight cash.

Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family
Jane Edna Hunter Building
3955 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115
(216) 432-3390
www.cfs.cuyahogacounty.us

Suggested donation: $25/child

In an effort to have a gift for every area foster child, CCDCF hosts an annual Giving Tree Project. Giving back since 1990, this program serves 3,000 children each year. Donors are asked to fulfill a child’s holiday gift wish by purchasing what is on that child’s holiday gift tag. Another way to help is to donate toward a holiday party for those who have entered college, as they are no longer supported by foster care. Donations can be toward use of a facility, food, gifts or a DJ.

Providence House
2037 W. 32nd St.
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 651-5982
www.provhouse.org/ 

Suggested donation: per child

Providence House helps abused or at-risk children and families struggling because of family crisis. Providence House offers a home to these children and care for the family through education, guidance and follow up with the goal of keeping families together and functioning healthily. There is a long list of items requested for holiday gift giving on the website, including clothing, baby formula, household items, groceries, gift cards, event passes and cash donations. Gift cards with a minimum of $10 may also be given to Providence House in honor of a friend, coworker or loved one. Providence House will notify the person of the donation given in his or her name.

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The City Mission
5310 Carnegie Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44103
(216) 431-3510
www.thecitymission.org

The City Mission helps families in Cleveland that have lost their home for a variety of reasons. There is a center for men, Crossroads Men’s Crisis Center, and a separate center for women and children called Laura’s Home. These homes help provide food and shelter to those that are going through a crisis in their lives. All toys and games must be new and donations may be brought to the office on Carnegie until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or to Laura’s Home Women’s Crisis Center, 18120 Puritas Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio  44135. Donations may be made to this location Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Adoption Network Cleveland
4614 Prospect Ave., Suite 550
Cleveland, OH 44103
(216) 325-1000
www.adoptionnetwork.org

Suggested donation: $25/child

Adoption Network Cleveland helps to find permanent homes and families for those in foster care. For those youth who have yet to find that permanent family, the Adoption Network Cleveland is collecting holiday gift cards. The stores chosen for gift cards should also have a wide variety of items from which the youth may choose. If interested in donating to this cause, contact: laura.weber@adoptionnetwork.org with any questions or concerns.

Easter Seals Northern Ohio
41641 N. Ridge Road, Suite D
Elyria, OH 44035
(440) 324-6600
www.noh.easterseals.com

The Easter Seals of Northern Ohio is taking donations of household items for people with disabilities this year. Clothing, old toys and small furniture items may be donated to make someone’s holiday a little brighter this year. Easter Seals will schedule a pick up for items to be donated. There are also donation bin sites located throughout the county. Last year, Easter Seals helped more than 5,500 people in need.

Related: Best Volunteer Opportunities For Kids In Cleveland

Marcia Hudgel is a writer, yoga teacher, wife, mother to her animals and aunt to 10 nieces and nephews living in Cleveland, OH. She writes about family, animals and yoga and her work can be found on Examiner.com.